Welcome to the Coastal Rainforest Research, Wildlife Conservation & Community Projects blog, where you can keep up to date with all the projects and information from GVI in Costa Rica

Global Vision International (GVI) is a non-political, non-religious organisation, which through its alliance with over 150 project partners in over 30 countries, provides opportunities for volunteers to fill a critical void in the fields of environmental research, conservation, education and community development.

Facts and Figures Quepos Community Project

Ongoing education support to over 330 primary school students within 2 local schools (2011-2012)

227,400 hours of Primary School students hours taught (2011-2012)

Over 1700 hours of English classes taught to adults and secondary school students (2011-2012)

Volunteer led English lessons with the 5 best students in each grade within the structure of El Cocal Primary School and Maria Luisa Primary School in Boca Vieja.

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Monday, February 18, 2013

Last week, we said goodbye to some of the first volunteers
of 2013. Today's blog is a compilation of thoughts from these lovely volunteers
on their favourite things about life here in Jalova.

My favourite thing about Jalova is…

‘That today, I can call it home.’ -Munib, 3 month volunteer

‘Its ability to make me enjoy living in the present, and
all the wonderful creatures (both man and beast) who call it home.’- Angie, 1
month volunteer

‘The unpredictability of everything! You never know what you
will see and what weather you will be in.’ -Rob, 6 month intern

‘You’re always within a few steps of seeing something new
and amazing every day that you’re here.’ -Joel, 2 month volunteer

‘The mosquitoes, I relish the many mosquito bites I have! In
all seriousness though, I love the fact that we all care so much about this
wonderful unique place and are so open to exposing our backgrounds and
listening to the stories of others! I have learnt so much here, and not just
about the jungle!’- Micah, 2 month volunteer

‘All the amazing people from all over the world with such
great personalities (also I love the hammock!).’ -Elsa, 3 month volunteer

‘Exploring the jungle, from the exhilarating night walks
with our faces painted, to playing basilisks across the mud (essentially trying
to run like the basilisk lizards to avoid getting stuck in the mud!).’ -Jeremy,
1 month volunteer

‘Being submerged in the rich and exciting rainforest with
fantastic people from all over the world! This is the most beautiful place I’ve
ever been, and it is a privilege to share it with like-minded, enthusiastic and
lovely people’ - Katie, 1 month volunteer

‘The feeling of freedom. Walking next to a seemingly endless
forest, on an endless beach, looking and the endless blue sky which is
reflected in the endless Caribbean Sea; it’s just bliss!’ - Heather, 6 month
intern

‘That every day is a new adventure to share with an amazing
bunch of people’ -Chris, 1 month volunteer

This is truly amazing! I'm Munib's friend, Mihir! To have been able to read this, without hearing from Munib in so long just makes me feel so happy! I hope you all are having the time of your lives, and hope this reaches Munib in some way!

If someone can convey this to Munib - tell him I love him, I miss him, I am SO proud of him, and that I can't wait to see him in NYC. Also tell him to look at the white band on his right hand and think of me.

If someone can convey this to Munib - tell him I love him, I miss him, I am SO proud of him, and that I can't wait to see him in NYC. Also tell him to look at the white band on his right hand and think of me.

quotes from the field...

"The work carried out by GVI Costa Rica makes a vital contribution to conservation and scientific research and personally speaking, I am proud to be able to say that I played a part in this project."
Michelle Miller, 10 Week Volunteer

"Having a truly incredible time here at Caño Palma. Every day here is amazing and brings exciting new things to see and do."

"The location is brilliant, the people are great and the wildlife is fantastic. So far I’ve seen green turtles, two-toed and three-toed sloths, coral snakes, a vine snake, green iguanas, basilisk lizards, a Neotropical river otter, caiman, crocodiles, strawberry poison-dart frogs, howler monkeys, spider monkeys and white-faced capuchin monkeys to name just a few!"

"I also see loads of beautiful birds every day, including the two stunning species of toucan found here."

"I’m enjoying everything we do here but some of my favourite things so far have been the grueling 15 mile Jag Walk, climbing the rainforest-clad Cerro (hill), and of course the ever exciting turtle night walks."

"Getting to count a turtle’s eggs whilst she lays them is a real privilege, which I’ve been fortunate to experience twice so far. Measuring a turtle, helping tag and doing the body check are also great to do, even if you do get covered in sand and occasionally whacked by a flipper!"

"Walking through the rainforest and traveling along the canals are other things I love doing here, as the scenery is wonderful and you always see some really interesting things."

I can’t really think of anything bad to say about this place, even the frequent rainstorms, the humidity, the early mornings and being woken by screaming howler monkeys just adds to the experience, and it’s certainly worth being filthy and covered in various insect bites to be here.

I can’t wait to see what other amazing experiences 5 more weeks in Costa Rica will bring." Alex Page from the UK, Expedition Member from July-September 2008

“I was impressed with the level of professionalism of the GVI staff, who were helpful, enthusiastic and clearly passionate about the work they do here at Jalova. I have had a wonderful time and feel inspired to use the knowledge I have learnt in the classroom. Thank you very much." Mrs Ali Omell, Turtle Project Volunteer